Keowee courier. (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, March 16, 1850, Image 1
KEOWEE COURIER.l|
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VOL. 1. PICKENS COURT HOUSE, S. C., SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1850. ^ NO 43'?iM
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SPEECH OF HON. J. C. CALHOUN, \
ON THE SLAVERY QUESTCON.
s DELIVERED IN YHE. SENATE OF THE UNITED HTATES, !
March 4, 1850.
I have, Senators, believed from the first that '
the agitation of the'subject of slavery would,
if not prevented by somo timely and effcctivo
measure, cud in disunion. Entertaining this
opinion, I have, on all proper occasions, endeavored
to call the attention of the two great par
tic? which divide the country to induce them to
adopt some measure to prevent so great a dis
aster, but without success. The agitation lias
been permitted to proceed, with almost no attempt
to resist it, until it has reached n period
when it can no longer he disguised or denied
that the Union is in danger. You havo
had forced upon you the greatest and the gravest
question that can ever come under consideration:
How can the Union he preserved?
To give a satisfactory answer to this mighty
question, it is indispensable to have an accurate
and thorough knowledge of the nature and j
character of the cause by which the Union is :
eiuinugcreu. v? iinoui sucn Kiiowieuge 11 is nil 1
possiblo to pronounce, with any certainty, by '
what measure it can bo saved, just as it would 1
be impossible for a physician to pronoiuice in I
the case of some dangerous disease, with any |
certainty, by what remedy the patient could
be saved, without similar knowledge of the nature
and character of the cause of the disease.
The first question, then, presented for consideration,
in the investigation I propose to mako,
in order to obtain such knowledge, is: What is
it that has endangered the Union}
To this question there can be but one anstrer:
that the immediate causc is the almost universal
discontent which pervades all the States
composing the Southern section of the Union, i
This widely extended discontent is not of re- |
cent origin. It commenced with the agitation !
of tho slavery question, and has been increasing
ever since. ^H?c next question, going one step
further Iwck, is: What has caused this widely
diffused and almost universal discontent?
It is a gi cat mistake to suppose, as sonic
liavo (lone, that it originated with demagogues,
who excited tho discontent with 1 lie intention
of aiding their personal advancement, or with
tli<> dieappoinUju ambition of certain politicians
who resorted to it as the means of retrieving
their fortunes. On tho contrary, all tho great
political influences of tho scction wore arrayed
against excitement, and exerted to tho utmost
to keen the people qniot. Tho ^reat mass of
the people of the ?South were divided, as in the
other section, into Whigs and Democrats. Tho
leaders and tho prea-ses of both parties in tho
South were very solicitous to prevent excitement
and to preserve quiet; because it was
it..i iL. 4Tir, * 1
buuii ulut vliu uiicuu) ui 1110 iui iiiw wou1u hccc8*
narily tend to weaken, if not destroy, the poliu- J
Cftl ties which united them with their respective
parties in the other section. IZ'hose who
know the strength of party ties will readily appreciate
the immense force which this cause
exerted against agitation, and in favor of preaerving
quiet But, as great as it was, it was
not sufficiently bo to prevent the wide-spread
discontent which now pervades the section.
No: some cause, far deeper and more powerful,
than the supposed, must exist, to account
for discontent so wido and deep. The question,
then recurs: What is the cause of this discontent?
It will be fouml in the belief of the
people of the Southern States, a? prevalent as
tho discontent itself, that they cannot remain,
as things now are, consistently with honor and
nofety,Yn the Union. The next question to be
considered is: n mti nas? cituseu vuo wiiei ? ,
Ono of tho causca w, undoubtedly, to bo
traced to the long cdhtifiued agitation of the
slave question on the part of tho North, and the
many aggressions which they have made on
the righta of th? Sooth dnrlnjt thy time. I will
not enumerate them at present, as it Will be
done hereafter in its proper place.
There is another lying back of it, wV>J4 which
this is intimately connected, that may Vj ru.
garded as the great and primary cause. 1\ u
I to be found in the fact that U?p equilibrium be^ll
tweonthe two sections in the Government, as it i
stood when tho constitution was ratified and the
government putin action, luis \xipn destrtyc<Jtf 1
At that tnno thero was nearly a uerfect
equilibrium between tho two which afl$)u?dam
pie means to cach to protect itself a<a;fftv|j)C
aggression of the other; but as it now statftw
one section has the exclusive po^r ?r oontrof
ttngtta Government, which other
without a?vy adequate mcMUij of protecting it
self against lt? tAvcroaclu uunU jthd oppression,
To p'mcu this subject 4fet:ae<lVi before you, 1
Onmatiia. nenxroCL a brief statistical
Cstatement, showing S&e roiBfeve weight of th<
two section inih? Gwmnncnt mulct- the firs
censuiof 1190#** the last census dp 1840.
According former, tho population o
HthfeunHod M ?u including Vermonfc^%.
tucky, and Tennessee, which were in
cipiont condition of h<noming States, butw&
iK>t actually admitted, vnounted to 8,620,82'
Of thU tho Northern Stn\)9 h;id 1,917.8m, an
the Southern 1 MI.&IU, taking a difloreneo
only 25,841 in favor of tho fyrnier States. T1
number of Statos, including Vermont, Ke
t'leky, and Toone?eee, were Wte*?; ofwhii
/ht, including Vermont, belong to (be N<
theru section, and eight, including Kentucky
and Tennessee, to the Southern, making an
equal division of the (States, between the two
sections, under the first census. There was u
small preponderance in the House of Representatives,
and in the electoral college, in favor of
the Northern owing to the fact that, according
to the provisions of the Constitution, in estimating
federal number, fivi slaves count but
three; but it was too sma.. to effect sensibly,
the perfect equilibrium, which, with thatexcep
turn, existed at the time, ouch was the equality
of the two sections when the States composing
them niffeed to enter into a Federal Union.
Since then the equilibrium betwen them has
been greatly disturbed.
According to the last census the aggregate
population of the United States amounted to
47,063.307, of which the Northern section contained
9,728,1)20, and the Southern 7,334,437,
making a difference in round numbers, of 2,400000.
The number of States had increased
from sixteen and twenty-six, making nn addition
of ten States. In the meantime the position
of Delaware had becomo doubtful as to
which section she properly belongs. Considering
her as neutral, the Norther States will have
thirteen and the Southern States twelve, ma
king a difference in the Senate of two Senators
in favor of the former. According to the
apportionment under the census of 1810, there
223 members of the //ousc of Representatives,
of which the Northern .States had 135, nmJ the
Southern States (considering Delaware asneu
tral) 87, making a difference in favor of the former
in the Horse of Representatives of 48.?
7110 difference in the <Sennte of two members
added to this, gives to the North, in the electoral
college, a majority of 60. Since the census
of 1840, f?!r States have been added to the
Union; Iowa, Wisconsin, Florida, and Tbxas.
yhev leave the difference in the Senate as it
fitoou when the census was taken: but add two
to the side of the North iu the 7/ouse, tnrking
the present majority i? the House in its favor
of 60, and in the electoral college of 62.
xiic result 01 111c wnoiu is u> give inc northo
rn Hcction a predominance in every department
of the Government, and thereby concentrate
in it the two elements which constitute
the Federal Government; a majority of States,
and a majority of the population, estimated in
federal numbers. Whatever section concentrates
the two in itself, possesaes the control of
the entire Government.
But we arc just at tho close of tho sixth decade,
and the commencement of the seventh.
The census is to bo taken this year, which must
add greatly to tho decided preponderance of
the North in tho House of Representatives nnd
in wie electoral college, ine prospect is, aiso, i
that ft great increase will be added to its pres- ]
ent preponderance in the Senate, during tiie !
Scriod of the decudu, by the addition of new
tates. Two Territories, Oregon and Minnesota,
are already in progress, ana strenuous efforts
are making to bring in three additional States
from the territory recently conquered from
Mexico, which, if successful, will add three
other States, in a short time, to the Northern
section, making five States; and increasing the
present number of its States from fifteen to
twenty, and of its (Senators from thirty to forty.
On the contrary, there is not a single Territory
in progress in the Southern section, and
no certainty that any additional State will be
ndded to it during the decade. The prospect
then io, that t'ue two sections in the .Senate,
should the efforts now made to exclude the
South from the newly acquired Territories succved,
will stand before the end of tho dvcado,
twenty Northern States to twelve Southern,
(considering Delaware as neutral) and forty
Northern Senators to twenty-four Southern.
This great increase of Senators, added to the
mcM'itxii m ii;uiiiiH:r? 01 uiu nuuyf oi ivepresentatives
and the electoral college on the
part of the North, which must take place under
the noxt decade, will effectually and irretrievably
destroy the equilibrium which cxistfdwhcii
the Government cornmcnf"*
Had tins ??!< uuen the opevation of
time, without the interference of Government,
the South would have had no reason to complain;
but such was not the fact. It was caused
by the legislation of this Government, which
was appointed as the common agent of all.
charged with the protection of the interests and
security of all. The legislation by which it
has been effected, may be classed tinder three
heads. The first in, that series of acts by
which the South has been excluded from the
common Territory belonging to all of the
States, a* the member* of the Federal Union,
and which have hud th>i elfcct of exten ting
vastly tho portion allotted to the Northern section,
and restricting within narrow limits, tho
portion left the South. The next consists in
adopting a system of revenue and disburse
ments, by which an unduo proportion of tho
burden of taxation has been imposed upon the
South, and nn undue proportion of its proceeds
appropriated to the North; and the last is a sys
torn of political measures by which the origin^
al character of the Government has beei* radically
changed. 1 propose to bestow upon each
of these, in the order they stand, fc fewtfefnarlcs
with the view of bhowiiw that it is owing to tho
lion of this OovAtnment that the equilibrium
DCixvenn ute iwn Beowons ims wen uusiroyen
wholi ftavremvf tho syeteui centered
first of the nerios of net* by which the
deprived <ifit? due nharo of the TerritoriesT^rigmuted
with the Confederacy
.. luch preyed the existenco of this Government.
It bo found in tho provision of the
lOrd'hi^nco fvjfi7. It* effect was to exclude
1 ^%Houth cutii\iy from that vast and fertile ro
I gw?Njhich lies tnween tho Ohio mid Miaais1
*'I>P\ '"V^now ontyacing five Stivtoa and one
2brr?ty. ^Senext <?th? nerios is the Missouri
: Coniprom?se>^:chei^do(, tho Houth from
that larpe P?"*^Nf I^-inna which lies north
[ of 36 aO^exceptjngs^i^ inr,n(lfl(, Jn lhfl
a late 01 mutsoun. f
ded the South from the wWk|?' wn?8 oxcluTerritory.
Ail theae in th? Oregon
were what, if? called slave tc*ritoNc "Ay>
I free noil,that ia, territories beUWnK""'' not
^ holding powor#, and open to tho ?uiiglifftV0~
,d Vostora with their alavea. By tho*o ol
0f M*?. tho South was excluded from t28fCK'
10 ^,m ,ndle*p an extent!#country condioraH
_ oxeeeding the entire vnuoy of "theMis*N*ip
,j! To the South wa* left the portion of the tw
>r- ?f Louieitn* lying eouth of SH 80, and t
I
I
jwrtion north of it included in the State of Mis"
sonri. The portion lying South of 36 80, inclu' !
ding the States of Louisiana and Arkansas, and i
tlic territory lying Wont of tho latter an<l south
of 30 80, called the Indian country. This, with
the territory of Florida, now the State, makes
in llm wVinlo 9RR ROH smmrn miles. To tliis
must bo added tlio territory acquired with 7'oxiis.
If tho whole should be added to the south
cm section, it would make an increase of 325,620,
which would make the whole left to the |
South, 609,023. Hut a large portion of Texas ;
is still l.i contest between the two sections, j
which leaves it uncertain what will he the real j
extent of the portion of territory that may bo ,
left to tho South.
I have not included the territory recently ac
quired by the treaty with Mexico. The North i
is making the most strenuous efforts to appro- j
proprialo the whole to herself, by excluding the
couth from overy foot of it. if she should succeed,
it will add to that from which the south
I has already been excluded. 526.078 souarc
j mdes, and would increase the whole which flic J
j North luis appropriated to herself to, 1.70-1,- ;
j 023, not including the portion that she may J
auccced in excluding us from in Texas. 1o |
j sum up the whole, the United States, since ,
! they declared their independence, havo ac- '
! quired 2,873,046 square miles of territory, j
from which the North will havo excluded the j
South, if she should succeed in monopolizing
! the newly acquired territories, about three-,
fourths ofthe whole, leaving to the South but
about one fourth.
Such is the first and great cause that has ;
destroyed the equilibrium between the two
sections ia the Government.
i The next is the system of revenue and disbnrsements
which ha3 been adopted by the j
Government. It is well Known that the uov- |
eminent has derived its revenue mainly from i
duties on imports. I shall not undertake to I
allow thiit such duties must necessarily fall
on the exporting States, and that the South, as
j the great exporting portion of the Union, has in '
J reality paid vastly more than her due proper
tion of the revenue; because I deem it unnecesI
sary, as the subject has on so many occasions
! been fully discussed. Nor shall I, for the :
| same reason, undertake tctshow thai a far great ;
er portiun of the revenue lias been disbursed at j
the North than its due share; and the joint 1
effect of these causes has been to transfer a vast |
amount from South to North, which, undor an
equal system of revenue and disbursements, i
would not have been lost to her. If to this be
added that many ef the duties were imposed,
not for revenue, but for rwotection?that is. in
tended to put money, not in the 2'reasury, but ;
directly in the pockets of the manufacturers? j
some conception may be formed of the im- ;
menso amount -which, in the long course of six- ;
ty years, has been transferred from South to
North. There aro no data by which it can bo
estimated with any certainty, but it is bafe to
say, that H. amounts to huudrcds of millions of
dollars. Under the most moderate estimate,
it would bo sufficient to add greatly to the
wealth of the North, and thus greatly incrcaso
her population by attracting emigration from
all quarters to that section.
This, combined with the great and primary
cause, amply explains why the North has
acquired ft preponderance over every department
of tho Government by its disproportionate
increase of population and /States. 7'hc
former, a3 has been shown, has increased in
fifty years, 2,400,000 over that of the /South.
Tins increase ofnonulation. durine so lonir a ne
riod, ia satisfactorily accounted for, bv tno
number of emigrant*, and the increase of their
descendants, which have been attracted from
Europe and the south, in consequcnco of the ad
vantages derived from the causes assigned. If
they had not existed, if the south had retained all
the capital which hus been extracted from hoc
by the fiscal action of the Government; and, if
it h<>on excluded by the ordinance of
'88, and the Missouri compromise, from there.
gion lyinj? --?* ? .
pi nvers. and oetween mo mississippi una mo
i Rocky Mountains, north of 80 80,?it scarcely
, admit* of a doubt, that sho would have divided
! the emigration with the North, and by rotaini
in? her own people, would have at least equal:
led tho North in population under the census of
1840, and probably under that about to be taken.
Sho would also, if sho had retained her
i equal rights in those territories, maintained an
equality in tho number of states with the North
and have preserved the equilibrium between
the two Rections that existed at the commence
ment of the Government- The loss then of the
equilibrium, is to be attributed to tho action of
this Government.
But while these measures wcro destroying J
tho equilibrium between the^two section*, the j
action of tho Government was leading to a radical
changc it) its charactedr, by concentrating ;
uli the power of the system in itsoUb. The oc!
casion will notja^miv^c to trace tho ujioas.
ores by which this great ohango has been cons
If it did, it would not be difficult
to *ho\v that five proccas commenced at nu
caflv period of tho Government^ that it pro
ceeded almost without interruption, step by
9tan. until it absorbed virtually its entire pow
ere; but without going through tho whole pro
ccss to establish the fact, it may be done satisfactorily
by a Very short statement
That the Government claims, and practically
maintains, tho right to decido in the last resort,
as to the extentof its powers, will scarce*
ly be denied by any ono conversant with ths
political history of the country. That it also
claims the right to resort to force, to maintain
whatever power it claims, against all opjjoaition,
is equally certain. Indeed it is appare it,
from what we daily hear, that this has become
tho prevailing and fixed opinion of u groat majority
of tho community. Now, I ask, wliat i
limitation can possibly be placed upon the
powers of n government claiming ami exercising
such righto) And, if none can be, how can the
separate governments of the <Stotcs maintain
and protect the powers reserved to them by the j
Constitution or the people of the several States
maintain those whioh are re-served to them, and
amoiy others, the sovereign powers b, which
f they ordained and established, not only their
' separate State Con4itutioru? and Governments,
W but also the Constitution and Government of
rfSthe United States! l)ut, if they have no constiri.
rWonul means of maintaining them against the
V) I i^xlaimed by this Government, it ncce&sarix
' ^Sy?e, that they bold them at it* pleasure
. K
aid discretion, and tlmt nil the powers of the
system are in reality concentrated in it. It ilso
follows, that the character of the Government
has been changed in consequence, from a federal
Kcpublic, as it originally came from the
hands of its trainers, into a grent national consolidated
Democracy. It has indeed, at present
all the characteristics of the latter, and not one
of the former, although it still retains its outward
form.
Tho result of the whole of those causes combined
is, that the North hivs acquired a decided
asceiulnncy over every department of this Government,
and through it a control over all the I
powers of the system. A single Rcotion govern- i
cd by the will of the numercial majority, has I
now, in fact, the control of the Government and J
the entire powers of the system. What was !
once a constitutional federal Republic, is now j
converted, in real fy, into one as absolute as I
that of tho Autocrat of Russia, and as despotic j
in its tendency, as any absolute govenuuent |
that ever existed.
As then, the North hn'j tho absolute control I
over the Government, it is manifested, that on j
all questions between it and the /South, where |
(iil'i it is u uivursivy ui interests, me interest 01
the latter will be sacrificed to the former, however
oppressive the effect may be, as the South
possesses no means by which it can resist,
through the action of the Government. llut if
there was no question of vital importance to
the Sout^T^i,i^> >?>^?. to which there was a
tliversfty oi vie?I- l9f3 sections,!
this state of things might be endured, without
tho hnzurd of destruction to tho South. But
such ia not the fact. There is a question of vital
importance to the Southern section, in reference
to which tho views and feolings of the
two sections are as opposite and hostile as they
can possioiy oe.
I refer to the relation between the two races
in tho Southern section, which constitutes a vital
portion of her social organization. Every portion
of the North enteriains views and feelings
more or less hostile to it. Those most opposed
and hostile, regard it as a sin, and consider
themselves under the most sacred obligation to
use ever effort to destroy it. Indeed to the
extont that they conceive they have power,
they regard themselves as implicated in the sin,
and responsible for suppressing it by the use of
all and every means. Those less opposed and
hostile, regard it as a crime?an offence against
humanity, as they call it; nnd although not so
fanatical, feel thoinsolves bound to usq all efforts
to effect tho same object; while those who
arc least opposed and hostile, regard it as a
blot nnd a stain on the character of what they
mil tlln Nlllini. ?.wl ???1 ? ' 1
- ??> % tv.vi UICIU9VIVV9 auuurdiug* |
ly bound to give it no countennneo or support.
On th\3 contmry, tho Southern section regards
the relation ns one which cannot bo d??troya<i without
subjecting the two race3 to the great- ,
est calamity, and tho section to poverty, desolation,
and wrctcbcdnoss; and accordingly they
feel bound, by every consideration of interest
and safety, to defend it.
This hostile feeling on the part of the North
towards tho social organization of the South,
long lay dormant, out it only required some
cause which would make the impression on
those who felt it most intensely, that they wore
responsible for its continuance, to call it into
action. The increasing power of this Govern
m?nt, and of the control of the Northern section
over all its departments, furnished the cause.
It was this which made an impression on the
minds of many, that there was little or 110 restraint
to prevent the Government from doino
whatever it might choose to do. 21iis was sufficient
of itr-elf to put the moot fanatical portion
of the No^th in iction for tho purpose of
destroying tho existi :g relation between the
two races in the South.
Tho first organized movement towards it
commenced in 1835 Then, for tho first time,
societies were org ii ixed. presses nstnlili.vhivl
lecturels sent forth o Tcito the people of the
South rrns thorougi ly aroused. Meetings
were hold everywhere, urfd resolutions adopted,
culling upon the North to Apply a remedy to
urrest the threatened evil, nnu pledging thornpelvea
to adopt measures for their own protection,
if it wa9 not arrested. At the meeting of
Oomrfses petitions poured in front the Worth,
calling upon Congress to abolish tdavery in the
Distric, < f Columbia, and to prohibit what they
culled u?c internal slave trade between tho
States, announcing at the same time, that their
ultimata object was to abo ish slavery, not only
k..? n.. uui- ? . 1.
ail UIU A/inillUV, UUl 111 lliu UUHl'S, UN I Ull'UUgU"
out tho Union. At this period, the number
engaged in the agitation was small, and possessed
little or no personal influence.
Neither party in Congress had, at that time,
any sympathy with them, or their cause. The i
members of each party presented their peti- !
tions with groat reluctance. Neverthei ??>, as 1
small and coatemtttible n? tht> party th*a was, I
both of tluj #r?-nt parlies of the NortU (ire?<fyl :
them. They felt, that though' null, thev^evo |
organized in reference to a suuject which had
(i groat and n commanding influence over the
Nortliern mind. Each party, on that account,
fenrod to oppose their petitions, lest the opposito
party should take advantage of the one
who might, V v favoring their petitions. Tht
effect was ih*t both united in insisting th/<tt
tho petitions should be received, and that Con
greis should tako jurisdiction of the subject tor
which thoy prayed. To justify their course,
they took the extraordinary ground, that Congress
was bound ^o receive \ictitions on ovory
subject, however objqctloiulno it might bo, and
whether they liad or ha,v\ not jurisdiction over
tho subject. These views prevailed in the
Iioubq of Konrcs'jntativof, and partially in the
Senate, and tho$ tho parly succeeded in thoir
first rrtbvenVonta in guiuing what thov proposed
?a position in Congress, from which agitation
could 'oe extended over tho whole Uniojh This
won the commencement of the agitation, which
ever since continued, and which, m I* now
Acknowledged,11an endangcrod the union itself.
As for myself, T believed at tlmt early
period, if the party who got up tho petitions
should succeed in yetting Congro^;
to take jurisdiction, Innt agitation would
I follow. Jind that.'it wnnld in Mia ?f
not arrested, destioy the Union. 1 then
so oxprossed myself in debute, nnd called
upon both parties* to tako ground
against assuming jurisdiction, but in vnin
//ad my voice been heeded, and had T ' J
Congress refused fo take jurisdiction, by ul
the united votes of all parties, the agita- \
tion which followed would have been pre Vi I'
vented, and the fanatir.nl zanl whio.1i mvM *'
impulse to the agitation, and which has > I
brought us to our present perilous condi- ? fi|l
tion, would have become extinguished JptfV jfl
from the want, of something to lecd the \ 1V !i
flame. That was the time for the North
to show her devotion to the Union; but
unfortunately both of the great parties !
of that section were so intent on obtaining
or retaining party ascendency, that
all other considerations were overlooked
What has since 2 olio wed are but the 'jw 3
natural consequences. With the success
of their first movement, this small fanntical
party began to acquire strength; and
with that, to bccome nn object of court*
ship to both the great parties. The ne- ?
cessary consequence was, -a- further increase
of power, and^^-gradual tainting ^; V. |'f
of the opinions of- fcoth of the other parties
withjbefr doctrines, until the infectfiJiPhfis
extended over both; and the
OTflllt mnss <if t.lin rirmnlnf i/-?n ?->f !?.?
North, who, whatever may be their opin- L
ion of the original abolition party, which
still preserves its distinctive organization, W||
hardly ever fail, when it comes to acting, Wi'J
toco-opcrate in carrying out their moos- vm
ures. With tho increase of their influence,
they extended the sphere of their
action. In a short time after ihe commencement
of their first movement, they
had acquired sufficient influence to induce
the Legislatures of most of the
Northern States to pass acts, which in /
effect abrogated the provision of the Constitution
that provides for the delivering 4 )
up of fugitive slaves. Not lorn* aftor.
petitions followed to abolish slavery in
forts, magazines, and dock yards, and all J
other places where Congress had exclusive
power of legislation. This was followed
by petitions and resolutions of
Legislatures of the iVbrthern States and
popular meetings, to exclude the Southern
dimes Irom all Territories acquired,
or to be acquired, and to prevent the admission
of any &tntc hereafter into tho
Union, which, by its Constitution, does
not prohibit slavery. And Congress is
invoked to do nil this expressly with the
view to the final abolition of slavery in
the Stales. That has been avowed to be |
the ul'iniate object from the beginning of
the agitation until the present time; and
yet the great body of both parties of the
\T?(i., r.n i i--j -* '
v? itu tuc lull iviIUWIUOgC OF in6
fact, although disavowing the Abolitionists,
have co-operated with them in almost
all their measures.
Such is a brief history of tho agitation,
as far as it has yet advanced. Now I
^.1. O 1 - V ' .1 -
iisK, ounuiurs, n niu is inil'C ro prevent us
further progress, until it fulfils the ultimate
end proposed, unless some decisive
measure should be adopted to prevent it?
Has any one of the causes, which has added
to its increace from its original small
UVgllUllli^ \|hc|?- IV 11(117
attained i'.s present magnitude, diminis* ~'!*'V
ed in force? Is the original cause of I .
movement, that slavery is a sin, and ou{
to be suppresscd> weaker now than at ti.
comcncement? Or is the Abolition par*
tv less numerous or influential, or have
they less influence or control over the two
great parties of the North in elections?
Or has the .South greater means of influencing
or controlling the movements
oi mis uovernment; now, men it had
when thl- agitation commenced? To nil
these questions but one answer can bo
given: No, no, no. The very reverse is
true. Instoad of being weaker, all tho
elements in favor of agitation are stronger
now than they were in 1835, when tho
agitation first commenced, while all the
elements of intlucnco on the part of tho
S^th urifrjAH^kci; Unless something
decisive ra again ask, what is
stop thii affUaiSn, before
final object at abolition
of slavery in the' cOnsunU
mated? Is it, then, not certutn, thttt if
something decisive is not now done fo *W
refct it, the &outh will be forced to ohoose
between nbolition and secession? Indeed,
as events are now moving-, it will not require
the iSfouth to secede to dissolve the
Union. Agitation will of itseit" effeot it,
of which past history furnishofs abundant
proof, ji8 1 shall next proceed s aVo<v.
It is a grout mistake to supposo that
disunion tan be effected by a single blow.
The cords whioh bound tbeso States to
getner in ono common Union arc far too
numoiouft and powerful for (lmt. Disunion
muat be tho work of time. It fe
only through a lona?ro<ks?, and insuccession*
that tho cbro? can be snapped,
until iho whole fabric falls asundor. Already
tho -gitation of th6 slavery (juesliun
has snapped some of tho most im- uOrtuot,
and Inw greatly weakened
^ the others as I "ball proceed tor'
,*?